India at UNSC reiterates its calls for immediate end to all hostilities in Ukraine

March 14, 2022

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FILE PHOTO: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Kharkiv National University building, which city officials said was damaged by recent shelling, in Kharkiv, Ukraine March 2, 2022. REUTERS/Oleksandr Lapshyn/File Photo

New York : As the war between Moscow and Kyiv rages on, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, R Ravindra on Monday, March 14, 2022, said New Delhi has been consistent in calling for an immediate end to all hostilities in Ukraine.

While addressing a UN Security Council briefing, Ravindra said Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has repeatedly called for an urgent ceasefire and that there is no other path left but of dialogue and diplomacy. He noted that the human toll continues to mount and the humanitarian situation has become dire.

Highlighting India’s evacuation from Ukraine, Ravindra said India undertook intensive and immediate steps to evacuate its nationals. Till date, about 22,500 Indians have returned home safely.

“We are grateful to all our partners for their support in our evacuation efforts. We call for direct contacts and negotiations with a view to cease hostilities,” he added.

Ravindra also said that India has been in touch with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine in this regard and will continue to remain engaged. “We continue to underline the need to respect the UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.”

He also lauded the role played by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and said, “OSCE has been playing an important role in facilitating the implementation of the package of measures across both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine. However, recent developments in Ukraine and consequent deterioration of security situation have halted the functioning of the Special Monitoring Mission.”

He said that India supports support OSCE Minsk Group’s continued efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
India continues to believe that any lasting resolution of the conflict can only be achieved peacefully through diplomatic negotiations and called on parties to implement the agreement reached. “We note with concern that steps that have been committed, have yet to materialize,” Ravindra said.